Gautier, Svarer, and Teulings (2009) used a timing-of-events method to research the potential correlation between the divorce rate and urban versus rural living. Danish register data was utilized to examine couples whose marriages began in the city and the difference between those who remained in the city and those who chose to move out of urban areas (Gautier et al., 2009). Gautier et al. (2009) found that “those couples who remain in the city have a 23% higher divorce rate than those who move out” (p. 439). Gautier et al. (2009) hypothesized that couples who met in the city were more selective in their partner selection as there is a higher contact rate due to high population density in the city. As Gautier et al. (2009) examined the results they examined the possibility that moving could increase the likelihood of divorce. No significant relationship between moving and divorce were found in the results (Gautier et al, 2009). The researchers’ results “do not suggest that increased urbanization will imply more divorces in the future” (p. 453). This was concluded as it was found that the reason behind reported higher divorce rate in the city was due to sorting of couples in rural areas with relatively more stable relationships.

                This is the first study of its sort that we examined. In comparison to the other studies we examined, this particular one stands out because it focused on such a different dependent variable. Through our research on the subject of divorce and its potential causes, we have learned a great deal about the field of study. There are numerous causes for each divorce; these studies simply help us gain a better understanding of why the divorce rate in the United States may be so high. Future research in the area is sure to occur and add to the current knowledge base while hopefully, also helping marriage become stronger and less likely to end in divorce. If we know what causes divorce and gain a better understanding of it, we may be able to treat the cause and stop some divorces from needing to occur.

Gautier, P. A., Svarer, M., & Teulings, C. N. (2009). Sin city? Why is the divorce rate higher in urban                                areas?. The Scandinavian Journal of Economics 111(3), 439-456. doi 10.1111/j.1467- 9442.2009.01571.x

               Djamba, Mullins, Brackett, and McKenzie (2012) studied the impact of household size on the divorce rate. The researchers reviewed household size and the divorce rate data in 1990 and 2000 (Djamba et al., 2012). Djamba et al. (2012) examined date from the United States Census Bureau in a random sampling manner. The independent variable was the divorce rate while dependent variables included “average household size, religious homogeneity, …percent unemployment…” (p. 438). A negative relationship was determined between household size and the divorce rate that was significant (Djamba, et al., 2012). Djamba et al. (2012) also found that, in 2000, “household size appeared as the second most significant correlate of divorce rate among all other variables…” (p. 436). Djamba et al. (2012) discuss the idea that the larger the household size, the more economically stable the household would be thus leading to marriage stability. This relates to the idea of previous studies and researchers discussed (Kawata (2008), Roy (2011), & Nunley (2010)) who believe that a stable economic situation is likely to lead to increased stability in the marriage.

                The idea that household size may be correlated with the divorce rate is not one that we had thought of prior to finding this study. This is an interesting correlation worth further research. We will next be examining a study conducted by Gautier and colleagues (2009) which investigates the correlation between the divorce rate and the location of the married couple whether urban or rural. It would be interesting to see if household size and urban versus rural living arrangements are both correlated with the divorce rate.

Djamba, Y. K., Mullins, L. C., Brackett, K. P., & McKenzie, N. J. (2012). Household size as a correlate of                              divorce rate: A country-level analysis. Sociological Spectrum 32, 436-448. doi                                                                10.1080/02732173.2012.694797

              Wolfers (2003) examined how unilateral divorce laws impacted the divorce rate in the United States. Unilateral divorce laws “allowed people to see a divorce without the consent of their spouse” (p. 1, Wolfers, 2003). Prior to the unilateral divorce laws, both partners had to consent to the divorce before it could occur (Wolfers, 2003). Wolfers (2003) found that the divorce rate did increase after the change in the divorce rate, however after a decade the rate began to lower again. Wolfers (2003) suggests that the results may have occurred because unilateral divorce laws allowed poor matches to dissolve earlier than they would have normally and that as the divorce laws changed, the rate of marriage decreased. Wolfers (2003) stated that overall, while the unilateral divorce laws did impact the divorce rate for a short period, the effects were not long lasting.

                Wolfers (2003) study does not directly relate to any of the previous studies we have reviewed as our focus was on the unemployment rates impact on the divorce rate. As we continued to examine this correlation, we chose to broaden our view. Prior to this study, we did not know about the unilateral divorce law change. It is interesting to examine other variables that have an impact on the divorce rate. In our upcoming literature reviews, we will examine how household size and the location of the married couple can impact the divorce rate or overall likelihood of divorce.

Wolfers, J. (2003). Did unilateral divorce laws raise divorce rates? A reconciliation and new results. NBER               Working Paper Series. Retrieved from EBSCO database.

               Nunley (2010) examined the impact of inflation on the United States divorce rate since the 1960s. A review of data spanning from 1955 to 2004 led to Nunley’s (2010) conclusion that inflation is correlated with the divorce rate in that as inflation increases, the divorce rate increases as well. Inflation was found to be “statistically significant, positive and persistent in both specifications” (p. 3373, Nunley, 2010) of the study.

               Nunley (2010) also found a negative relationship between the divorce rate and the unemployment rate. This relates to Roy’s (2011) results and Kawata’s (2008) study results as both researchers found a negative relationship between the divorce rate and unemployment rate. On the other hand, Nunley’s (2010) results are in conflict with Hellerstein and Morrill (2011) as Hellerstein and Morril found that as the unemployment rate increased, the divorce rate decreased.

                In February, we examined a study conducted by Nunley and Zietz (2012) focusing on the age demographics in the United States and the divorce rate. We believe it is interesting to review multiple studies by researchers we have heard about previously. It is interesting to see in what direction the researchers have moved as they continue studying the divorce rate. Through reviewing the studies, we believe that the inflation rate also impacts the divorce rate and that these variables are also directly related to the unemployment rate.


Nunley, J. M. (2010). Inflation and other aggregate determinants of the trend in US divorce rates since the                       1960s. Applied Economics 42, 3367-3381. doi 10.1080/00036840802112489

           As stated in an earlier post, we have been examining other variables that may impact the divorce rate. A study by Nunley & Zietz (2012) examined the impact of age demographics on the divorce rate in America. Nunley and Zietz (2012) used time series methods in examining data from 1932 to 2006. The divorce rate was determined by the number of divorces per 1000 married person (Nunley & Zietz, 2012). Nunley and Zietz (2012) also examined the percentage of the population between the ages of 20-29. The reason for examining this particular age group is because, according to Nunley and Zietz (2012), marriages are less stable during the early years of marriage and less stable when individuals marry at younger ages such as were examined.

            Nunley and Zietz (2012) determined that the rise and fall of the divorce rate coincided with similar rises and falls in the fraction of the total population falling into the 20-29 age category. More specifically, Nunley and Zietz (2012) state

             the sharp rise in the divorce rate from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s happens to coincide with a                    perceptible increase in the 20-29 age group as a fraction of the total population…steady decline in the              divorce rate from 1980 onwards coincides with a reduction in the fraction of 20-29 year-olds in the                  population (p. 67).

           This finding supports the researcher’s hypothesis that the fraction of the population in the age group of 20-29 directly and positively impacts the divorce rate (Nunley & Zietz, 2012). It would be interesting to examine if this trend has continued as the latest data analyzed is now seven years old. This study is the first one not to include unemployment rate as a variable impacting the divorce rate. It will be interesting to see if any similar studies have been conducted, as well as other potential variables impacting divorce rate.

Nunley, J. M., & Zietz, J. (2012). The long-run impact of age demographics on the U.S divorce    rate. The                      American Economist 57 (1). 65-77. Retrieved from       http://library.wmpenn.edu:2048/login?                              url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=   true&db=bth&AN=74610976&site=ehost-live

           Unemployment rate and divorce have been our major areas of study thus far and the study conducted by Hellerstein and Morrill (2011) is no exception. Hellerstein and Morrill (2011) examined unemployment and divorce rate data from 1976 to 2009. The unemployment rate was determined by examining state unemployment rates, GDP and income per capita, as well as the U.S unemployment rate as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Hellerstein & Morrill, 2011). Hellerstein and Morrill (2011) operationalized the divorce rate using the National Center for Health Statistics data on state-level annual divorces per 1000 people.

            Interestingly, Hellerstein and Morrill (2011) found that a one percent increase in the unemployment rate resulted in a one percent decrease in the divorce rate. This contrasts with the information we have gathered from the Roy (2011) study and the Kawata (2008) study as both prior studies found a positive relationship between the unemployment and divorce rates. The researchers stated in the study that their results differed from many involving individual households and that future studies should address this seeming conflict.

Hellerstein, J. K., & Morrill, M. S. (2011). Boom, busts, and divorce. The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis &               Policy 11 (1). 1-26. doi 10.2202/1935-1682.2914

               The next study that we reviewed also explored increased unemployment rates as potential cause for increased divorce rates. This study was conducted by Roy (2011) and included not only married couples but those cohabitating as well. While we are not interested in cohabitating couples this study did support our hypothesis as Roy (2011) found that overall increased unemployment rates are directly and positively related to divorce rates. The results of this study fit in nicely with Kawata’s as both determined that there is a positive relationship between unemployment rate and divorce rate.

                As our research has continued we have brainstormed several other possible variables that may impact divorce rate. These include emotional and intellectual intimacy as well as law changes in regards to divorce. We suggest that increased emotional and intellectual intimacy in a partnership would decrease the likelihood divorce while more lenient divorce laws lead to higher divorce rates. These are several areas we plan to investigate in our upcoming blogs.

Roy, S. (2011). Unemployment rate and divorce. Economic Record, 87(S1), 56-79. Doi:10.1111/j.1475-                                 4932.2011.00746.x

              This blog will examine current divorce rates as well as studies over the subject in order to gain a better understanding of the potential causes of an increased divorce rate in our current time. Through the family systems theory, we have hypothesized that an increase in the unemployment rate may cause an increase in the divorce rate.

                A study conducted by Yukichicka Kawata (2008) studied the relationship between unemployment and divorce rates in Japan. Interestingly Kawata (2008) also examined crime rate and average working hours of each partner to determine if these variables were at all related. Using time series and cross section date, Kawata (2008) determined that as the unemployment rate increased, the divorce rate increased as well.

                This study helps to validate our hypothesis although the study does lack generalizability due to it being done solely in Japan. Kawata (2008) also stated that a small sample size was used. Our goal is to examine a great deal of information and studies which should help with this generalizability issue.

Kawata, Y. (2008). Does high employment rate result in a high divorce rate?: A test for Japan. Rerista de                Economia del Rosario, 11(2), 149-164.